Following Jingyuan Refuge's public accusations, and with the official refuge announcing it had received the complaint, the atmosphere in Jianghe City became notably tense.
Countless overt and covert gazes began to focus on Su Wu's refuge, seemingly converging into an unstoppable tide, ready to crush him.
In this atmosphere, previously active trade between refuges began to exclude Su Wu's operations. Nearly no one was willing to engage in commerce with him during such a delicate period.
Even Su Wu's scavenging convoys operating in the city ruins faced increasing harassment, severely impacting their efficiency in collecting scrap metal.
In the underground control center on the second floor of the farmhouse refuge, Su Wu analyzed the map of Jianghe City. His gaze lingered on the location of Jingyuan Refuge for a few seconds before shifting to the official refuge.
Jingyuan Refuge's actions weren't significant in themselves. What mattered was that they provided the official refuge with an excuse to openly trouble him.
"It seems I'll need to act first," Su Wu murmured. He understood that if he didn't respond, his name would likely appear on the official wanted list by the evening, leaving no room for negotiation.
The powerful of this world rarely knew the meaning of moderation. Appearing weak would only invite further exploitation and bullying. Only blood and fists could make them pause.
At that moment, a warning notification popped up on Su Wu's screen.
Shifting his gaze, he saw that one of his scavenging convoys in the city ruins had been attacked again. Hidden assailants had planted explosives along the convoy's route, flipping one of the transport vehicles.
"Perfect. I'll start with you," Su Wu said calmly.
Minutes later, three transport vehicles carrying three robotic dog combat units and one combat drone unit sped out of the underground refuge, heading toward the city ruins.
Meanwhile, in the city ruins, the scavenging convoy that had been attacked halted near the overturned transport vehicle, attempting to set it upright.
Intentionally or not, their rescue operation proceeded at a snail's pace. It took over ten minutes to clear the site before the convoy, towing the damaged vehicle, slowly began moving toward the city outskirts.
From a half-collapsed building a few dozen meters away, a tall, thin man with a portable cooling device whispered into his phone.
"Minister, they're heading out along Route 7. They'll reach the next ambush point in three minutes."
After reporting, the man prepared to leave but froze when he saw a drone hovering outside the ruins, its weapon aimed directly at him.
The man's expression shifted, and he quickly dropped his phone, raising his hands.
"Don't shoot. I surrender."
"So, this is a medium-sized refuge that took up Jingyuan Refuge's bounty, hoping to profit during the chaos."
"Destroying one transport vehicle earns them half a ton of grain, with all weapon and fuel costs reimbursed. Generous indeed."
Interrogating the tall man and cross-referencing his information with his own intelligence, Su Wu pieced together the situation.
Shaking his head, he couldn't help but marvel at their recklessness.
If they wanted to conspire, fine. But using the target's network for their communications? That was truly foolish.
"Li Rong Refuge."
Su Wu locked onto the culprits' location on the map. Despite its unimpressive name, the refuge was home to 3,000 people and occupied an underground space equivalent to two aircraft carriers.
In terms of overall strength, it was a respectable force within Jianghe City.
But unfortunately for them, they'd picked the wrong opponent—becoming the first pawn to cross the river.
"Execute the battle plan. Target: Seize all core areas of Li Rong Refuge and eliminate any armed resistance within."
Su Wu issued the command as casually as if he were starting a game.
But under his orders, hundreds of lives were about to be lost.
Two hours later, Jianghe City's internet and television broadcast systems, covering 90% of the region, simultaneously pushed a video to all online users.
The video, captured by a drone, showed nearly a hundred heavily armed robotic dogs using thermite to breach a refuge's gates.
With astounding efficiency, they dismantled the refuge's defenses, taking control of critical areas like the power room, central control room, and storage warehouses.
The entire operation took just 1 hour and 15 minutes.
A total of 273 individuals were killed, while the robotic forces suffered zero casualties.
For many viewers, this was the first time they realized that, against professional military forces, numbers and cover meant nothing.
No matter how valiantly the defenders fought, they were ultimately cut down like wheat before a scythe.
"How... how could they be so powerful?"
In the official refuge, a high-ranking official trembled as he watched the video.
Lacking a military background, he struggled to grasp just how devastatingly efficient professional armed forces could be.
Now, the robotic dogs had provided a stark, undeniable demonstration through a real battle.
They showed, in no uncertain terms, that they could breach most refuges within an hour, eliminating any target they wished.
Even if such actions invited severe retaliation from the military, for the victims, the outcome was already final.
The realization of this personal threat left the high-ranking official feeling as if cold water had been poured over him.
The greed that had once driven his gaze toward Su Wu's refuge and the communications tower supporting the internet was quickly replaced with caution.
He realized he wasn't dealing with something pliable or harmless but playing with fire—a dangerous game that could very well backfire.
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